Yvonne Foster at the Commonwealth Games Athletes' Village in Glasgow, Scotland yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn

GLASGOW, Scotland:

It's hard to believe that table tennis standout Yvonne Foster is only making her first appearance at the Commonwealth Games.

Now 20, Foster has been playing the sport since the age of six, winning the national title eight times and establishing herself as the island's premier female table tennis player.

She lost out to 14 year-old Dadrian Lewis at this year's National Championships, but Foster, who has been a constant source of encouragement for young Lewis in the build up to the games, is hoping to put the loss behind her and have a positive outing here in Glasgow.

"I was surprised, but I am really happy for her because at her age I was doing the same thing. Some days are simply not your days and you win some and lose some,' Foster told STAR Sports yesterday.

"I have been working hard and at the moment I am happy with my training and preparation coming into the Commonwealth Games. I have been putting in as much time as I can and I am feeling comfortable that I am where I need to be," she added, before stating her objectives here. "My objective is to go out there and do my best and hopefully come away with a medal."

challenge

One of her focus is to also help Lewis ahead of what will be a most daunting challenge.

The two have struck a chord particularly as they spend hours training together for their respective Commonwealth Games debuts and Foster, who herself is bracing for the fiercest competition that she has ever faced, believes the prodigy will do herself proud here.

"We have been training together and I try to encourage her (Lewis) as I think that's what she needs right now. It's her first big tournament. Nervousness is to be expected from her, but I am positive that she will go and do her best and that she will do well," Foster said.

"I know the competition is going to be really hard, especially against players from Singapore and Malaysia who are the top in this region or at these games, but we have been working hard and we want to show what we have been working on,"

Foster, like Lewis, will compete in the singles, mixed, doubles and team play events.